Thiophene-2,4- and -2,5-biscarboxamides have been synthesised and shown to act as anion receptors in DMSO-d6/water solution. The crystal structure of the fluoride complex of a N,N'-diphenylthiophene-2,5-biscarboxamide derivative has been solved and reveals the involvement of the thiophene CH protons in anion complexation in the solid state.